Kilkenny farmer takes top accolade at Livestock Awards

The ‘Finding Common Ground’ festival, an initiative of the RDS, explored the benefits of natural resources and the circular economy with a view to increase awareness, education and identification of solutions.

The RDS Livestock Awards were part of the event.

These awards celebrate the work of individuals and farm families who are enhancing the economic and environmental development of Irish agriculture and farming.

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Winner
John Donohue, from Co. Kilkenny, was among the winners, taking home the 2025 RDS Sheep Ireland LambPlus Breeders Index Award.

The purpose of the RDS Livestock Awards is to draw attention to the carbon footprint of production and highlight the farmers who are at the forefront of economic and environmental sustainability in Irish agriculture.
These awards are linked to the ICBF and Sheep Ireland databases.

“These awards provide recognition to outstanding individuals, farm families and organisations who have excelled in enhancing the economic, environmental, and social development of Irish agriculture and their rural communities,” said Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, with responsibility for Food Promotion, New Markets, Research and Development, Noel Grealish TD, said.

“The awards commend farmers dedicated to sustainable breeding programmes and their commitment ensures that future generations of livestock are healthier, more productive, and increasingly carbon efficient.
“I want to congratulate all category winners, and I am delighted to be present to celebrate and highlight the most productive and efficient farmers and livestock in the country.”

Finding Common Ground Festival
The RDS Finding Common Ground festival is a key initiative driven by the RDS’s enduring mission to inspire, enable and empower positive change in Irish society.

Recognising the urgent need to address the intertwined challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, this two-day festival strategically leverages the RDS’s broad reach and meaningful connections across its key programme areas – arts, agriculture, enterprise, equestrianism, and science – to foster a vital cross-sectoral dialogue.

The Finding Common Ground festival is specifically designed to explore how Ireland can sustainably harness the benefits of its natural resources and the circular bioeconomy, with the overarching ambition of leaving the world in a better state than we found it.